Saab 9-3 Stereo Removal 2003 - 2007 = Car Stereo HELP

[@happysawfish]

Thanks for taking the time to post. Hope it helps your business too. There are Saab nuts out there, and I confess I am guilty, who appreciate all things related to Saab. Something about these cars that I have loved since the first moment I touched one. To keep the several alive that I operate, I have learned a lot. Still do. It's an oft repeated thing, but it is rewarding. So tired of the brand new vehicles that all seem to look and feel the same after awhile. They have lost something precious - something I would call a soul.

[@IvanDaniel28]

happysawfish I have owned my 2004 black 9-3 2.0T 5 spd for about 10 years now. I HATE the lack of cup holders and the terribly shitty audio system that you need an electrical engineering degree from NASA to upgrade. newer cars have so much nicer interiors, layouts, audio and dash; in each aesthetics, function and practicality. I do not understand the love that Saab's get, at least pre 2008 Saab's before the stock upgrades.

[@emmanuelcoleman7329]

that third unit in the trunk is the OnStar module. it's obsolete and doesn't work. there is actually an amplifier under the drivers seat, then depending on the system, you could have a 2nd amp in the left side of the trunk next to the fuse box. a DVD player and navigation unit, if present, would also be in this area.

[@draytonPW]

WARNING! Removing your radio will disable your car without a component to complete/patch the fiber optic loop that you disconnected.

[@viktorbill8125]

What do you mean disable?

[@charalampostsagarakis3254]

if you disconect the AC control unit the car wont start also.....

[@rustyrobinson8027]

Thanks 👍

[@karlito1089]

Thanx guys this really helped,I've never changed anything on a Saab before but I gotta change the radio,speakers and all the lights to LED and xenon!!

[@IvanDaniel28]

Karl Mullen be sure to earn an electrical engineering degree from an accredited university before doing so.

[@rbrueford]

To anyone saying you cant add an aftetmarket stereo without a lot of diy or loosing sounds like indicators, yes you can and without buying things like fibre optic loops etc. Its not difficult and can be done by someone with average competence

[@dontedq]

Thank goodness there is hope I'm having my car and audio place replace my factory radio with a Sony one and all the stuff people were saying kinda scared me a little like loosening the sound indictors and car not starting my car audio place says they can do it and I can indeed keep my factory speakers still just need a new amp and radio

[@rhynecars]

Can you post a link to the instructions? Maybe post a video explaining or just saying what you did?

[@vitaliq435]

​@@Lamster66 Thanks a lot for your detailed post, have you posted it on a forum or somewhere else ? Because your post is golden but it's hard to find it (I was lucky). I have a lot of issues with my 9.3 vector 2003 with the 7 speakers + amp1 under the seat and I think I will try by your method but I'm not sure I understood everything. Do you have to keep the original autoradio in any case ? How do you derivate the radio from the original to the new one ?

[@vitaliq435]

​@@Lamster66 Many thanks for your fast answer ! Yeah my issues comes from the amp1 under the left seat, corrosion I think. I will bypass it with a fiber loop but I dont want to deal with the other cables under the seat, dismantling everything just for 2 mores speakers in the doors. I just found 2 used Kicker 44KSC3504 for the dash speakers, a really cheap and simple improvement. I will change the 2 in the shelf also. I dont know about 1 or 2 din stereo, I just want a good sound and some basics bluetooth fonctions, cigar lighter is quite usefull but in other hand there is an other one close, and with an usb on the stereo I dont really need it. I dont need GPS (I'm using my phone) or playing DVD. On this post saabworld.net/showthread.php?t=27754&page=2 you can find the wire from connector A you need to splice to derivate speaker from the original stereo to the aftermarket.

[@vitaliq435]

​@@Lamster66 Yes an alpine 1 din as you shown is good enought, I found the alpine ute-72bt which seems perfect. If I rewire the central dash board speaker with the original radio I keep the sound and alarms of the car and I can use the 2 other dash corner speakers for the alpine + the 2 rear already wired (will be changed). I found this for the loop www.ebay.fr/itm/Femmes-plus-fibre-optique-boucle-connecteur-terminal-pour-Mercends-BMW-Audi/263828479555?hash=item3d6d671e43:g:A7cAAOSw6CJbFkSY:rk:1:pf:0

[@ethanscully3146]

That vent seem difficult to... My goodness he has three hands!

[@leksasdf]

My exact reaction lmao

[@jerrycabrera3095]

Lamster66 I think you have the idea correct about a double din. I want to try from the upper stereo position. At least that is where I want my double din positioned. I will loop the fiber optics from the top stereo and see what wires are available. If the speakers are only available from the CD changer I would splice into the wires. As you mentioned take the power and ground from the cigarette lighter. I know it would be extra work splicing and extending wires. But I think the position would be best. I know I would have to modify a face plate but if one does all the electrical how hard could that be.

[@IvanDaniel28]

Jerry Cabrera can you please do it for me? 😭

[@zeppafloyd]

Mine stopped working so I pulled amp under driver seat out and had it repaired. That still didn't fix it. Took out the cd player and amp under the part you removed to check for red flashing light on fiber optic connectors and there was no red light on the small connector that goes to the cd player itself. The CD player had power because it will eject a CD and makes that sound when you press the eject button when empty. Guy who repaired under seat amp says that in dash amp must be bad or it is not getting power. Not sure what to believe anymore.

[@denniskubiak3465]

There is a wiring harness (Crux) which apparently allows installation of an aftermarket head unit. It's available from SonicElectronix and Amazon. Around $100. It supposedly also allows integration with the steering wheel controls. Install the new head unit in the CD changer slot. There's a dash kit on ebay for that, around $60. I might take a crack at it.

[@happysawfish]

Dennis: did you install the aftermarket wiring harness? Did it work? THanks

[@rogerwilco2]

As I understand this model 9-3 from 2003-2007 will not be able to fit any single or double DIN radio without a lot of DIY. There are no after market kits, unlike for the 99-2002 and 2007+ models and the whole custom fibre optic connection system makes that you basically can't re-use any of the components and have to replace everything. That includes the speakers, as they are non-standard Ohm values. I really like Saabs, but for the 9-3 MY03-06/7 you're out of luck for replacements of the in car audio and satnav systems unless you're making it a major project.

[@ambassador.to.Christ]

RogerWilco Thx for the info.

[@CycloneCyd]

Just a small point. The title should read 2003-2006. The 2007MY and on has the facelift dash. Good video otherwise.

[@Andrey_Autoelectrician]

Thanks guys!!!))))

[@brianstevens1474]

So I have purchased a 2005 Saab 9-3 for my daughter. The radio was not working so I did some research and did the loop back on the amp under the drivers seat and have it working again. What I am looking at now is replacing the radio so her phone can connect and be able to use it handsfree. I have read numerous posts including these about what it takes to use a different radio. But, I havent seen anything about replacing the existing one and using a loop back on the fiber cables there. Would that be an option? Just separate the 2 fiber from the harness and loop them and use the existing wires for the new head unit. No one has mentioned this option, only the removal of the cd player and running new speaker wires. Thoughts?

[@brandichristelles2026]

Brian Stevens did you try it and did it work?

[@brianstevens1474]

@@brandichristelles2026 I did not try that. Just put a new head in the CD spot. Ran new speaker wires to new rear speakers and cut the front speaker wires and door wires off the factory head and used them for the new head. Added an amp in the trunk for the new rear speakers. Works great but the mid speaker is not getting sound for door chime and blinkers. Will have to work on that next summer.

[@arron5710]

I have a 2004 saab 93 linear radio working with indicator sound etc. Buh no front speakers. Now I can't see a amp under my seat. Would that be why if some1 has taken it out? ( I just got the car) but I thought the radio wouldn't work without the amp??

[@philbrophy2007]

Very helpful many thanks

[@candelariodiaz2690]

I have a 2004 sub I have to replace the stereo thank you very much I appreciate that good help

[@michelecattani2077]

Thanks soooooo much..!

[@sureseam]

Thank you for this video. My SAAB 9-3 (2006) radio needs some attention so I really appreciate this. I have heard it said that these radios are paired to their host car. To switch such a radio between cars apparently requires a 'divorce' from the old car before then mating it to the new host. Can anyone verify whether this is the case?

[@andrewguimond344]

sureseam hi I also have 06 that radio has nothing. Fuses are good CD player has power. What was the problem with yours thanks

[@brandichristelles2026]

Lamster66 can you tell me more about this?

[@Ezargli]

I have a question: Can you replace the Infotainment with and Infotainment Plus?

[@SJSOmar]

Do you mean the radio if so yes you can I just recently did this I now have the ICM3 headunit with sat nav but you must have the cd nav unit trunk/radio/and CD player inside the car to work but it all has to be from one vehicle because they are married to each other if you don’t have all these parts you must unmarry it and marry it it the current units -Message me if you want a guide or pictures of installation

[@IvanDaniel28]

Saab Enthusiast- Omar can I msg you if I want you to do it for me??

[@Em_jiggy]

Would it be possible to install a touch screen headunit in that slot? I know the air conditioning vents wouldnt be there anymore but thats not a problem.

[@rogerwilco2]

Not really, see my other reply for details.

[@brandichristelles2026]

Lamster66 anyway you could walk me through the looping? Or do you live in NC lol?

[@mufiddaqaq8450]

hi I have my saab 2005 93 aero . the radio is be have a problem and Electricity smuggling and make a battery empty . I cant start the car . how can I fix this problem ? do I should change the cabal or main radio

[@teijam10]

Thanks man ....great help . keep it up.

[@hassanalbertahassanalberta1785]

Thank you so much..............

[@fididoma]

What Kabel is the Orange?

[@movingon7890]

Thank you for that!

[@monkeybrass3240]

Thanks !!!!

[@ELDOUBLES]

Do you have the plastic adapter to put aftermarket stereo?

[@IvanDaniel28]

El South Side I have been looking for 5 years.

[@VALDEPENAS1]

WE HAVE A 2007 CONVERTIBLE THE CD DOES NOT WORK BUT THE RADIO DOES DO WE NEED A CODE TO TAKE OUT AND ADD A NEW CD/RADIO.

[@IvanDaniel28]

Nancie Allan why are you responding in all caps??

[@dmm10000]

be nice to see the cd disc unit being removed - you only removed the stereo control unit - people need to remove the cd unit as it doesnt play mp3's

[@chuckcoates8039]

what about just removing the CD player?

[@emmanuelcoleman7329]

Chuck Coates all you need is a screwdriver or flat tool that can fit into those vertical slots on each side. just pry it and pull each side out. it's quite easy.

[@saibaba7632]

Car stops talking after, all those alarms information bips stop working

[@fus149hammer5]

Nuce to see the awful SAAB cheap and nasty dash buttons still in evidence. 😂

[@brook280]

easiest way is to buy a fm transmitter/bluetooth from ebay and stream music from your phone!!!!!

[@IvanDaniel28]

doesn't help the shitty speakers/sound. I hate how smug you come off as, like it is just that easy.

[@inCawHoots]

Can I have that stereo? :3

[@jtobs]

Yea. You make the clips seem so fucking easy to release. No. These clips do NOT release that easy!!!!!

[@aleksandremakharadze9961]

7

[@beauhatman4395]

worst camera work, EVER!